Only Hatred Driving Attacks On Israelis

The Oct. 16 editorial "A Victim Of Hate" is sympathetic to Richard Lakin, who was seriously injured in a tragic Palestinian terrorist attack, describing him as "a man of peace."

Mr. Lakin is not alone in his quest. There is broad desire in Israel for a secure peace with all Arab neighbors.

Unfortunately, while supportive of Mr. Lakin, the editorial falls into the common trap of political correctness. Although the carnage in Israel is a direct result of incendiary, anti-Semitic statements by President Mahmoud Abbas and his administration, along with hateful, vitriolic preaching by radical Islamic clerics, some of whom even instruct how to use knives and axes to murder Jews, the editorial uses overworked phrases such as "mutual hatred" and "expansion of settlements."

Yes, hatred drives the brutal attacks on Jews. However, it is hardly mutual. Mr. Lakin's whole life demonstrates that. Mr. Lakin is a microcosm of Israeli-Palestinian relations. Every peace effort by Jews in Israel, like his, is rebuffed and eventually answered by violence and bloodshed, much of it religiously inspired.

This is not pleasant, but let's face reality and not gloss over what Israel faces.